The Shandian guerrilla forces are down to eighty-three men. The Divine Soldiers—only thirty-four remain. By the end of tonight… who knows how many will still be alive.
From the golden throne, Enel plucked a small bunch of grapes from the fruit platter beside him. He tossed one into his mouth and spoke lazily, his words muffled.
"Hmm~ let's set a target then—fifty."
"Before tomorrow comes," he said as he rose from his seat, a faint smile curling on his lips, "I'll make sure only fifty people remain on this island."
Blue lightning began to crackle across his body—tiny serpents of electricity slithering across his skin.
In the next moment, his entire form erupted into thunder, his body transforming into condensed blue lightning. The throne room filled with the sizzling roar of power before he vanished—shooting upward like a living bolt, piercing the clouds above.
Later, near dusk, the heart of the Land of God
The Going Merry rested safely atop a massive stone altar at the center of a tranquil lake. A few Sky Sharks glided lazily across the water's surface.
Surrounding them stood towering trees that blotted out most of the evening light. Every so often, a Divine Soldier or a Shandian warrior would try to ambush them from the forest—only to be struck down before even reaching the lake.
Before long, no one dared to approach.
"I still can't believe you used to be the God of this place," Nami said, breaking the silence.
Under a great tree not far from the altar, the crew sat in a circle around a small fire. The Undead Mage flicked her staff, summoning a wisp of flame to ignite the pile of firewood.
Gan Fall had spent the past while explaining everything—the centuries-long war between the Sky Islanders and the Shandians ever since the island had been blasted into the heavens four hundred years ago.
"So basically," Nami frowned, "it was the Sky Islanders who stole the Shandians' homeland, right?"
From what Gan Fall had said—and what they'd learned earlier on Jaya Island—the Shandians were clearly the island's original inhabitants. When the Upper Yard was sent skyward by the Knock-Up Stream, it was the Sky Islanders who, out of greed, invaded and drove the Shandians out—claiming it as their 'Land of God.'
Gan Fall sighed deeply. "As shameful as it is to admit… yes, that's the truth. But I can't turn back time. After four centuries, the Land of God has become sacred to both sides. To the Sky Islanders, it's their faith. To the Shandians… their birthright."
"To convince either side to give it up is impossible. So I've devoted myself to ending the conflict—to finding a way for both races to live together, in peace, on this land."
His shoulders sagged, his wrinkled face cast in the firelight, voice low and weary.
"But just as peace was within reach… he appeared. God Enel. He seized everything. With his terrifying 'Divine Punishment,' he rules this island through fear."
"Is that Enel guy really that strong?" Usopp asked, wide-eyed. "No one's ever beaten him?"
Gan Fall gestured toward the Undead Mage. "You saw how she can summon a sea of fire with a single gesture. Enel's power… is far beyond what numbers can overcome."
"He wields power that can destroy entire islands. Once, the Sky Island of Birka was a flourishing city. Now—it's a dead land, wiped out by his hand."
Everyone's faces tightened in horror. The thought alone was terrifying.
Reiner narrowed his eyes in thought. Destroying an island, huh? On the Blue Sea, Enel wouldn't last a day. Against someone like Akainu—or even the lazy old man Kizaru—he'd be dead ten times over.
Gan Fall shook his head. "I know it's presumptuous to ask for your help. But on our own… we truly have no hope."
"What are you talking about?" Zoro said, resting a hand on one of his swords. "We're already wrapped up in this mess, aren't we?"
"Yeah!" Luffy clenched a fist, his eyes blazing. "And that so-called 'god' sounds like trash to me!"
"Oi, Luffy!" Nami snapped. "Didn't you hear what he just said? Enel can destroy islands!"
"All the more reason to punch him harder!" Luffy said, stomping the ground with determination.
"You seriously think that's how this works?!" Nami groaned.
"Ahh~" Usopp sighed, rubbing his temples. Then he looked at Gan Fall. "Old man, those priests you mentioned—besides the one Reiner took down today, Shura—there are still three more, right?"
Gan Fall nodded. "Yes. They oversee the Trials of Iron, Swamp, and Orbs, respectively." He pulled a folded map from his coat and pointed to several marked locations. "Each one guards their own trial grounds."
"This time, leave them all to me," Zoro said, resting a hand casually on his katana.
"Hey, who said you get to pick three, moss-head?" Sanji said, lighting a cigarette with a glare. "First-come, first-served—let's see who can get to three hundred points first."
"Heh. Sounds fun," Zoro smirked. Then he turned toward Reiner. "What about you? Want in?"
Reiner raised a brow. "That tone sounds like a setup. What's the bet?"
"Loser washes their hair upside-down!" Zoro and Sanji declared in unison.
Reiner: "…"
"Ha! Not falling for that one," he said with a snort. "You two just want payback. No thanks."
No way he was walking into that trap. Not again.
"Um… I'd like to try too."
The hesitant voice came from Usopp, making everyone stare at him in disbelief.
"Usopp?! You sick or something?" Chopper squeaked, panicking. "I know what it is—the Sky Island food's poisoned! Stay with me, Usopp!"
Usopp sighed. "I'm fine, Chopper. Really."
He patted the reindeer's head, then looked down at his waist pouch. "It's just… I've been training with Reiner and the others for a while now. I want to see how much I've grown."
He clenched a fist and lifted his chin proudly. "And with this Slash Dial I picked up today—yeah! From now on, the Great Captain Usopp officially leaves the Coward Trio behind!"
"Not bad," Zoro smirked. "Finally starting to sound like a man."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Usopp yelled indignantly.
Reiner chuckled, then warned, "Still, don't underestimate the Priests. Their strength isn't insane, but their Mantra makes them tricky."
Zoro and Sanji could handle that, but Usopp? Not yet. So Reiner reached into his coat and tossed him a pink shell, pocked with tiny holes.
"This is an Impact Dial, fully charged. It's strong enough to punch a hole through that tree behind you. Keep it for emergencies."
"Uh—thanks, Reiner," Usopp said nervously, glancing at the massive trunk behind him. It would take three men to wrap their arms around it.
If this thing kicked back even half that force, it'd probably snap his arm clean off.
Gan Fall had already explained how the Dials worked earlier—how they could store and release energy. But the Impact Dial's power had limits; overcharging it could destroy the shell—or the user.
Even the warrior Red Ogre had once shattered one by mistake.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest...
"W–Wait, Lord Enel!" one of the white-robed Divine Soldiers cried out. His companion lay nearby, body charred black, smoke still rising from it.
"We're on the same side! Why—why are you attacking us?!"
"Because," Enel said coldly, his eyes like ice, "you have not received the blessing of God."
He raised a hand. A blue lightning serpent coiled from his fingertip, lancing through the soldier's chest in an instant.
The man dropped lifelessly to the ground.
Enel turned away, voice calm, almost bored.
Now there are eighty-two.